Researchers from University of Utah Health and the University of Colorado Boulder announced on May 18 that many adults over age 60 are turning to cannabis edibles to manage common health issues such as pain, sleep problems, and mental health concerns. The findings come from a new study published in JAMA Network Open.
The study highlights a growing trend among older adults who seek alternatives to traditional pharmaceuticals. Researchers interviewed 169 people over age 60 who were about to purchase cannabis for the first time. Many participants said they wanted better quality of life, less pain, improved sleep, and more enjoyment with family and friends.
“Overall, they really wanted better quality of life, reducing their pain, getting better sleep, and being able to enjoy time with family and friends a little bit more,” said Rebecca Delaney, assistant professor of population health sciences at University of Utah Health and first author on the study. Senior author Angela Bryan added: “For the most part, we found that these folks aren’t really interested in getting high. They just want to feel better.”
Word-of-mouth recommendations from friends or family members played a large role in influencing decisions about which products to try. “They brought a lot of feedback from other people to inform their opinions,” Delaney said. “Word of mouth has a really big impact.” The researchers also found that discussions with medical providers were rare during decision-making about cannabis use.
Delaney explained: “The ultimate goal is to develop resources to help people make decisions and find products that meet their needs, and to figure out how we can distill information to patients and physicians.” Most participants chose edible products containing both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), viewing this combination as offering balanced benefits.
The survey was conducted in Colorado where recreational cannabis is legal; researchers noted results might differ in states where only medical use is permitted but expect core motivations remain similar. Delaney concluded: “We would really love to see more of these conversations happening between physicians and patients to make sure that people feel supported and informed when seeking alternative ways to address their pain.”
The research received support from several organizations including the National Institutes of Health.